In 2023, LeBron James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time scoring leader.
Los Angeles Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar held the record for 38 years, which is nearly four decades.
Considering Abdul-Jabbar hardly has any relationship with LeBron James, Cap’s former Lakers teammate, Magic Johnson made a ‘hard pill to swallow’ prediction in 2022.
“Let’s be honest. And the fact that it’s a dude playing for the Lakers too. It’s a dude playing in LA. I think it will be a hard pill to swallow. … I think he thought he was going to have it forever,” Johnson said on the Club Shay Shay podcast.
While Magic made a calculated guess, Kareem proved him wrong when James finally broke the record in 2023.
Photo by Tommaso Boddi/WireImageKareem Abdul-Jabbar claimed Magic Johnson was ‘very, very wrong’
Holding the record for as long as Kareem did, the Lakers legend will always be asked about the King overtaking him.
Knowing that Abdul-Jabbar tried to clear the air about the same in a February 08, 2023, blog post entry on his Substack.
“I love Earvin and, after forty years of friendship, he knows me pretty well. But, in this case, he was very, very wrong.
“I don’t blame him for thinking that I might be bothered because he knows how competitive I used to be,” Abdul-Jabbar wrote.
However, Abdul-Jabbar named a scenario where Johnson’s prediction could have proven correct.
“And, if someone had broken my record within ten years of me setting it, he would probably be right. I might have hobbled out of retirement just to add a few more points on my record.
“But that ain’t me today. I’m 75. The only time I ever think of the record is when someone brings it up,” KAJ stated.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar named the ‘bottom line’ about his relationship with LeBron James
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
More than two years have passed since the fateful day that James surpassed Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. But it gets brought up every now and then.
For instance, Abdul-Jabbar recently addressed James breaking his record while taking a subtle shot at the King. However, the 6x NBA champion also praised James’ NBA achievements.
He did so in 2023 as well, writing: “This is all about LeBron doing something no one else has done, about scoring more points than anyone has been able to in 75 years. There are no ‘yeah, buts,’ just praise where it is rightfully and righteously due.”
So, what is the ‘bottom line’ about the relationship between the two NBA legends?
“Bottom line about LeBron and me: LeBron makes me love the game again. And he makes me proud to be part of an ever-widening group of athletes who actively care about their community,” he concluded.
To be honest, it’s great to see that there’s a silent respect between the two stars. It could be due to their competitiveness holding them back. After all, KAJ and LBJ have done what no one in the history of the NBA has even come close to.